College of Education & Human Services

Teaching and Learning at a Distance

As part of the College's mission statement, distance education plays a vital role in connecting teachers and students in an instant, even with hundreds of miles in between.

Faculty and students require the human and social support to effectively integrate technology into their teaching and learning. COEHS is dedicated to providing the incentives, training, and support necessary to use various technologies and distance delivery venues effectively and inventively.

With the continual evolution of the Internet the geographical boundaries of our world are "virtually" shrinking. People are constantly connected and COEHS is actively keeping up with trends in online course delivery.

Currently, we provide courses at a distance in nine of our academic departments.These include, Educational Leadership; Educational and Interdisciplinary Studies; Curriculum and Instruction; Health Sciences; Law Enforcement and Justice Administration; Instructional Design and Technology; Kinesiology; Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration; and Social Work.

Learn More about…

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers many courses online. The department also offers face-to-face courses outside of Macomb. The Reading Specialist program is offered in Macomb, Quad Cities and in Springfield, IL. Visit wiu.edu/curriculum/online.html for a full listing of courses.

The School of LEJA houses the Fire Administration minor that is an option for a distance program for fire fighters. Western Illinois University is one of seven institutions participating in the Degrees at a Distance Program, a higher education project of the National Fire Academy. The program provides access to higher education for all fire administration personnel and allows them to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university without losing time on the job. For more information about this distance program, visit wiu.edu/SES/distance. The department also offers its bachelor degree in the Quad Cities and masters level courses in Macomb, Quad Cities, Springfield, Naperville, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Vernon Hills.

The Master of Science in IDT and the Master of Science in IDT with Technology Specialist Emphasis courses are offered in various formats including online, two-way compressed video, and hands-on experience. With careful planning through the department graduate advisor, the Master’s program may be completed entirely online. The department also offers a post baccalaureate certificate in Educational Technology Specialist online.